My cheap favorites: the best makeup under $10

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I wrote a post like this way back when I started my blog, so I thought it might be interesting to update it and see how many of my favorites have stayed the same and how many have changed, now that I've tried a lot of new shit. I've also compared a lot of cheaper things to more expensive products along the way, and in all cases, the makeup in this list equals or outperforms pricier alternatives. I'm just doing makeup today, but I'll follow up with another post about my cheap favorites from other categories like skin care and hair products.

My cheap favorites are reliable and inexpensive. They're things that I replace when I finish them. Obviously I don't use these products exclusively, but I keep coming back to them because I prefer them to others. Below I've included links to previous reviews on my blog, if they exist. I've also tried to link to the best places online to buy these things, to my knowledge. Most of them are easy to find in any drugstore or Target/Walmart, etc.--in which case you might be able to get them on sale. But you might be like me and prefer online shopping when possible, so I've linked them below.

There are a few categories of makeup for which I don't have a current cheap favorite. For example, foundation: I'm picky about it and haven't found anything I absolutely love at any price point, though the Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation, reviewed here, is decent when sheered out, and Boots No. 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation is amazing if you can find a good color match (I can't). As for concealer, I have a favorite (reviewed here), but it's not cheap. I've used some good drugstore concealers, like Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circles, but I tend to run into problems with the range of shades available. I had a favorite powder (Maybelline Mineral Power Finishing Veil Translucent Powder--lots of Maybelline here in the "almost" category) but of course it's been discontinued, so I'll have to find something else soon. I don't have a favorite bronzer, because I almost never wear bronzer. I also don't currently have a favorite lip gloss, I guess because it's not a product I love to wear in general. There a plenty of perfectly fine lip glosses out there, but nothing that I am particularly excited about.

But let's get to my actual favorites. My photos aren't the prettiest, because I am currently using most of these things and, in many cases, have been using them for a long time, so they're a bit beat up. (Lots of images after the jump.)

Is H&M makeup worth it?

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I have some great clothes from H&M that were cheap and still look good years later. I've also bought some stuff that looked like shit after a few months. That's the fast fashion gamble. So what category does their makeup fall into?

A while back when they had a free shipping sale on their website, I decided to pick up a few makeup items to see what they were like. I don't get to the mall much, and the makeup section in my local H&M store is kind of a mess anyway, so online shopping seemed like the way to do it. There was also a sale, so I got an additional 25-30% off the prices listed below. (I bought a pair of basic leggings at the same time. Major pilling in the crotch/inner thigh area after the first couple of wears. Sticking with Old Navy in the future.) I couldn't find many reviews of H&M cosmetics online at the point, so I just chose some things that looked interesting.

H&M makeup (taken with camera setting that distorted the shapes (oops) - they are all straight).

I got a liquid eyeliner, a lip crayon, and an eyeshadow brush, so that I could try out a few different things. Unfortunately I took a while to get this review up and it seems like the liquid liner isn't listed on the website anymore. You might see it in a store? Here are quick reviews of the three items I bought.

Swatches of H&M Lip Pencil in Red/Million Dollar Smile and Liquid Eyeliner in Purple

Lip Pencil in Red/Million Dollar Smile ($4.95): I posted a swatch of this one a while back when I was comparing all of my sheer red lip products. You can check that out if you'd like to see how it compares to other things you might already own. It's a good one. Not too sheer, goes on smoothly and easily, a little moisturizing, no scent or flavor, wears off evenly. It's more in the glossy lip crayon category than the lipstick/stain crayon one. I might pass it along to someone else, just because it's not a lot different from some other things I own and I need to downsize. Here's how it looks on my lips:

H&M Lip Pencil in Red/Million Dollar Smile.

Liquid Eyeliner in Purple (about $3.95): When my order arrived at my house, and I looked at this eyeliner, I thought, "Why the fuck did I buy this? What am I going to do with it?" It's not really the kind of thing I would normally use. Then I remembered this eye brightening tip (although I already have an eyeliner that works for that, so it's not a great excuse for buying it). It works for that, since it's a shimmery, pale lavender color. Unfortunately it's the style of liquid eyeliner that I despise, but you can see in the photo above that the wand doesn't get all gooey, and since it's so pale it doesn't make a huge mess when it splatters on my eyelashes. It applies well, and it wears well. It's a good product. No real complaints.

Eyeshadow Brush ($3.95): This definitely stands out as the best of the things I bought. It's soft and fluffy and picks up a lot of eyeshadow. I like the wide, flat shape, which is versatile. You can use it to apply shadow to large areas, just to the crease, or to blend. This is a better brush than most of the e.l.f. Studio ones, for only a dollar more.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with this stuff. It's on par with very good drugstore makeup. It's doesn't seem like crap that was added to the inventory just for the sake of selling makeup. I have too many makeup brushes at the moment, but if I were looking to buy some more, I would certainly consider trying some others from H&M.

Anyone else tried H&M makeup? Are there other things worth checking out?

Spring 2013 and Crown Brush Beauty Bags now $10 from HauteLook

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The spring bag includes 12 products, including Jane Iredale cheek and lip stain, Aveda hand cream, Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, etc.

The Crown Brush bag includes a brush set, eyeshadow palette, eyeliner, and sponge wedges.

I think these were originally $20-25 each.

HauteLook Crown Brush Beauty Bag (80% off)

This looks interesting. I still don't have anything from Crown Brush, but a bunch of people have recommended them to me as good cheap makeup brushes. You get a makeup bag with an eyeliner, 36 eyeshadow palette, foam wedges, disposable kabuki brushes (I don't know wtf those are), and a 12-piece makeup brush set. Looks like a good option if you want to try out a bunch of new kinds of brushes and eyeshadow colors.

You need an account to browse HauteLook, so use my invite link, if you want. (This is also why I can't link directly to individual sales HauteLook - or at least I haven't figure it out. Once you sign in, you should be able to find the bag on the main page.)

Looking for affordable makeup brushes? Crown Brush is on HauteLook right now

If you get a set, they start at around $1.50 per brush. I don't have any of these yet, but I've heard good things. Have you tried Crown Brush? What do you think?

You need an account to browse HauteLook. Here's my invite link. As always, keep in mind that these sale sites tend to take a while to ship things out to you.

Note: Tarte is still available on HauteLook, and so is the Spring Beauty Bag!

Makeup Withdrawal suggests some cheaper alternatives to pricey makeup brush cleaning tools

Very useful.

Free shipping from EcoTools for all of April

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Use code LIVEBEAUTIFUL.

Any suggestions for what I should get? I kind of want a stippling brush, but I'm not sure any of these qualify. I don't know what else I need. Help!

Fix Your Face: How to experiment with winged liner without buying new eyeliner (with photos)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Some people like the way winged/cat-eye liner looks on them, and some people don't. Depending on your eye size and shape, and your general style, you may think it is the absolute shit, or you may think it is absolute shit. You don't know until you try.

I understand, however, that people who are not makeup hoarders like me might be loathe to shell out the extra cash for a gel/cream/liquid eyeliner, in case they decide they are never going to do it. There are cheap options, but you might have everything you need to figure out if this is the right look for you at home.

Here's what you need:

Reminder: 11-piece e.l.f. brush set for $3 with $30 purchase this week

Use code BRUSHUP to get the set for $3 with a $30 order.

Here is some info about that kickass brush set, and check out my e.l.f. tag to get some ideas about what you else should try or avoid.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Fix your Face: e.l.f. Makeup Brushes (and a sweet deal)

From today until Jan. 7, you can get the 11-piece Studio Brush Collection for $2.13 with a $20.13 purchase from e.l.f. using the code BRUSH2013. That's cheaper than the regular cost of just one of these brushes alone. The regular price of the set is $30 (basically, you get one brush and the case free, normally).

Here are some things I have recommended in the past that you buy (or don't buy) from e.l.f. to get you to that $21 threshold.

Good:

• Essential Concealer Brush (for cuticles)
• Studio Lip Lock Pencil
• Studio Cream Liner (more)
• Nail Polish
• Studio Eyebrow Kit

Bad:

• Studio Waterproof Eyeliner Crayon

And another list of the goods and the bads (not half price anymore).

It'll be worth it, because those brushes are damned good. Soft, thick, just wonderful. They also come in a nice case for travel that is big enough to also hold other brushes and eyeliners, etc. Here is what I think of each brush in the set, and what I use them for (often not what they're designed for).

• Eyeshadow 'C' Brush: I use this to apply lighter shades to my lid and browbone. Anywhere I need to cover a wider area.
• Complexion Brush: This is the perfect blush brush. It's big and fluffy, so you get a natural application. Make sure to use a light touch and tap off excess powder before you apply, because the thick bristles will pick up a lot of color.
• Small Smudge Brush: This is what I use to fill in my eyebrows with NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Auburn/Red. It's ideal if you like a more natural shape with rounded edges. If you like a more dramatic eyebrow with sharp corners, the Small Angled Brush below might work better for you.
• Small Angled Brush: This is one whose perfect use I haven't discovered yet, though I think it would work well for applying gel eyeliner or eyebrow powder.
• Small Precision Brush: This brush is exactly what you need if you have problems applying eyeliner pencil neatly. You can just draw a messy, uneven line and then use this tiny, stiff brush to smooth out the edges and blend it toward your lashline. You can't fucking lose.
• Fan Brush: Okay, I'm still working on this one too. I guess you're supposed to use it to dust away particles on eye makeup that have fallen on to your cheeks. I usually just use a sponge or my big fluffy powder brush (not from e.l.f.) to do that. Other ideas, anyone?
• Flat Top Powder Brush: This is a really lovely quality brush. It's so dense and soft that it almost feels like a powder puff. I haven't used it much yet, since I have an old brush that I prefer for applying pressed powder. This is supposed to be great for getting your foundation blended smoothly (explanation here from Makeup Withdrawal).
• Angled Foundation Brush: I don't wear foundation very often, but this seems to do the trick for applying it.
• Concealer Brush: I don't use this one too often yet, since I already have an under-eye concealer brush, but this will make a good replacement some day.
• Blush Brush: Personally, I think this is too small for blush, but it's perfect for contouring. I use Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer Pressed Powder in Goddess, which is a good matte contouring powder for pale skin. You might still be able to get it on clearance at CVS (link above only for informational purposes - you should not have to pay $7 for that shit!).
• Contouring Brush: Nice, multipurpose eyeshadow brush.

Another good e.l.f. brush not listed above:

• Studio Retractable Lip Brush: It's a pointy brush with a fine tip that is ideal for lining lips. And the retractable mechanism is just fun: you put the lid on the other end and it lengthens the handle and pushes the brush out. Plus it keeps the brush from attracting lint. And cat hair. Ahem.

So there you go. These are phenomenal brushes for beginners or the makeup obsessed alike. Get them while they're cheap (if you wait a while, they will be on sale again. Maybe not this cheap, though.)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Sale: 50% off all e.l.f. brushes today

Get 50% off brushes with a minimum $25 purchase! This offer is valid Monday 12/10 only, using coupon code 50BRUSH.

I recommend the Studio 11 Piece Brush Collection (so fucking soft and awesome), the Studio Retractable Lip Brush, and the Essential Concealer Brush (perfect for cleaning up nail polish on your cuticles). 

If I'd known this was coming, I'd have made sure to have reviews of all these up already. But they will be coming later this week!

e.l.f. will have a few other cool deals this week, like 10 free mineral eyeshadows (also a great product, and this is a $30 value) with a minimum $30 purchase (tomorrow, 12/11), and a free mystery bag with $20 purchase on Wednesday (12/12). So check their site for those codes. They almost always have a code for free shipping with a $25 purchase, too. 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.